Thread: Ford F150 vs GMC Sierra 1500

Search around awhile, didn't see anything on the forums (unless not in Tech Talk).

Looking to get a new truck this summer and trying to decide between the Ford F150, I think with the 5.0L V8 and an equivalent GMC. What are peoples experiences with either? Mileage? Major problems? Be nice to get some perspective from a group that uses the truck for mountain roads, snow, pulling sleds etc.

Consumer Reports magazine is where I'd look. Search on their website to find out which month they reviewed these trucks, then read the magazine at your local library for free.

I'm sure others on the board have first-hand experience.

Ford = better fit and finish, electric windows that roll up during your lifetime, better ground clearance


Chevy= better motor and mileage, but part of the mileage comes from narrowing the body and lowering. Inside not as nice, air leaky doors, crappy electric windows. Like thier front 4x4 better for function, but the front will wear out faster. They've been better in the past about having locking rearends vs positrac or antislip.

Allmost 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

If i was driving heavy traffic like Denver to hills on I-70 i'd take the Chevy for the motor and not having to wrap it up to 4 1/2 grand to climb a hill.

Anywhere else i'd take the Ford for the nicer ride.

The Ford motors wrap up tight on highway climbing, doesn't bother me on non crowded passes, but drives me batshit on 70.

F-150 has a couple gearing options to help with that rpm issue.

new to you or brand new ?

the new f-150 with the eco-boost engine is THE shit, they get great fuel economy and have loads of power ... the dealers can't keep them on the lot

Thanks.

Checked out the consumer report for the ford. Now have to find the gmc article.

Looking to get new off the lot. 3.5ecoboost is an option too. I have to test drive booth. But the 5.0l sounds so good!

The F150 for sure. It's built better than the Chevy, looks better, will last you longer and resale is better. And don't forget Ford didn't take a government hand out to stay afloat.

I just ordered a f-150. Decided the $2.5k extra for the ecoboost was too much, mainly because twin turbos are going to require more maintenance long term (& the V8 will have enough power).

I owned a ’95 F150 for about 5 years and I was very happy with it, got more than what I paid for and was definitely not a lemon, never owned a Chev..

But really, when it comes down to Chevy vs. Ford it is a faith based question. Most North American males are either a Ford guy or Chevy guy and generally stay faithful with their “Calvin pissing on the other” stickers on the rear winder.

Otherwise, why limit your options to those two? Why not add Dodge and a Tundra (Made in Texas). The only complaint I’ve ever heard about the Tundra was the gas tank could be bigger.

I am currently driving a Tacoma, loving it and have owned a Dodge and a number of Fords.. Ultimately if I had to choose between your two initial choices, deep down I am probably a Ford guy..

Ive got an '06 f150, 5.0 right now and really can't complain. Get 14-16 mpg, enough power to pull when I need it.

I'm looking to get something else solely on that damn short bed though, so keep that in mind.

Let me start by saying I don't subscribe to the Ford guy/Chevy guy/Dodge 'em/Toyota onry mentality.

My favorite truck was an '03 Chev Duramax. I loved that truck.

I've been driving F150s for the last few years. Currently in a 2010 supercrew with the 5.4L and the shortbox. It's a pretty good truck. Rides nicely, it's comfy, and it gets really good gas mileage. The backseat is HUDGE. It doesn't do anything superbly, but it doesn't do anything that makes me want to look at a different truck.

If I was to buy another truck right now, I would get an F150. Probably with the Ecoboost. But I'd want to hook up a trailer to one and see how well it towed first.

From what I been hearing ^^^ I think you would be suprised how the ecoboost tows and the fuel economy even compared to a duramax

Ford had an interesting series of webisodes about the Ecoboost torture test. I was impressed.

I don't know if I want to spend the extra $ on the engine; and it doesn't sound as good - for what that is worth

I grew up a Chev guy, but Chev held onto the torsion bar suspension for too long on 1500 and had low ride height kind of made me think they were a city truck. THEN they took gov bailout because of bad management, and now they make the Votl... nuff said.

Ford are a bunch of pioneers now. The EcoBoost direct inject motor, great interiors, elec locking rear diffs (FX4). Shoot the fact that they made the only long travel OEM truck is enough to get my money.

I personally drive a quad cab Taco because I don't need a full size at this time, but F150's would get my bid. Do yourself a favor get Raptor and wheel the piss out of it while it's on warranty. I do a lot of forest roads to get back to hunting spots. FOr pespective my v6 taco with upgraded suspension only gets 16-17 actual mpg (manual 6spd).

I'm still dreaming of them releasing that prototype Bronco with a 4cyl diesel -> drool.

Dodge 2500 w/ cummings

/end thread

God I love my Lariat.
Next truck will be whatever the next body style F 150 is , hopefully they will have mileage over 20 by then.
Fwiw, the 150 is an amazing platform for high end custom audio, if that is your trip.

Originally Posted by Bird Blaster

Ford had an interesting series of webisodes about the Ecoboost torture test. I was impressed.

I don't know if I want to spend the extra $ on the engine; and it doesn't sound as good - for what that is worth

drive it and you will probably be blown away, look at the HP and torque figures

Junior works in one of those high end trades where everyone in the shop makes shit loads of $$$ which they spend on turbo diesels trucks with which they tow jetboat's /sleds/ trailers and they are very impressed with the eco boost

I wish for a Mid-Duty Diesel Tundra.. Or diesel Taco.. Something fuel and city friendly yet able to pull something when you need it to..

I have a 2006 gmc sierra 1500 with the 4.8 L v8. 17/21 mpg, just hit 100k and has never needed anything but oil, I added a throttle bottle spacer and a cold air intake the motor likes to run cool and At low rpm. My parents have the 150k Yukon with the 5.3, nuthin but a fuel pump water pump and tranny(warrentied after the warranty expired by gm due to a manuf. defect from 2003) both run great although the Yukon runs hotter than my truck because of the stock motor. Any of the gm vortech motors are great, IMO the best gasoline truck motors out there, they are essentially ls motors with iron blocks and taller intake manifolds. The 5.3 vortech can be converted to make ls power levels with junkyard parts from corvettes or camaros that people have wrapped. Chevy seems to be an all around better truck parts and performance wise, the ford does have a better interior but who cares about interiors in trucks?

Found the consumer's reports suggested earlier - thanks!

the more reading i have been doing on the interweb has me leaning towards the Ford. I do like it aesthetically as well.

Mentioned in a previous post about the elec locking rear diff - I do like the idea of this and quite like the FX4 as a model.

i bought a 2011 F150 lariat with the 5.0L last june. the thing is awesome. i've put 17k on it and the computer tells me i'm averaging 16.3 mpg. You can get 18-19mpg at 65mph on the highway. I test drove an eco-boost - its pretty nice, it feels like you're driving a cadillac not a truck. The extra mpg might be worth it but i was scared off because it was a 1st year engine and the potential twin turbo problems made me nervous. I'd be more comfortable after the engine has been around for a couple years.

My 2006 f150 screw 5.4L has been great. Really happy with it. MPG avg 15 though. If we were a one car family, that would be an especially rough number to look at. Handles well in the snow in my opinion. I would definitely consider an eco boost on the fx4 platform (it even has updated 4x4 system options), but I don't tow as much as I use to so my next whip may be a wagon. I hear the boost engine is nice at altitude.

I have a 2010 F150 Supercrew with the 5.4 V8 and my brother has a 2012 with the Ecoboost. Buy the Ecoboost no question. I love my truck, and enjoyed test driving the 5.0, but the Ecoboost really is the shit. Tons of power and he gets WAY better gas mileage. I get around 15 commuting, he gets closer to 20.

I fucking love my truck. I test drove pretty much everything out there before buying mine and I felt it was significantly better than the rest of the competition, especially once factoring in cost. I bought mine for 29k with a sticker of 38.5k. I liked the Tundras as well, but I was looking at Tacomas in that price range.

Does well enough in the snow. Not as good as my Landcruisers did, but I'm not worried about safety or getting stuck. I've never felt underpowered on mountain passes or while hauling my dirt bikes. (I don't really do any heavy towing).

Mine has a 36 gallon tank (standard on 2012+ I think) and that is also the shit. My range is incredible, something like 600 miles on the highway. I have to stop to piss before I need gas on road trips; I've never owned a car like that before.

I also really like the Sync system. I thought it would be gimmicky, but I would hate to drive a car without it now. Wirelessly playing music from my phone rules, and the mic is clear enough to take business calls. There is also a hidden USB port behind the radio that I wired a hard drive to so my whole music collection is always with me.

I probably sound like a giant Ford fanboy, but I've been converted. I'd never even considered buying an American car before this, but Ford has blown me away with their product. I did not expect to be happy with selling my LX470 for a Ford, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Not that I had $90k+ to buy a new LX570 anyway, but the F150 cost me a third of that and I like it better. I may buy a nicer equipped truck in the future, but I'll be buying another truck. Hoping thats not for another 10+ years.

The 2013 Ram might be worth looking into if you plan to buy a new, not a used, truck. More of a heads up than a recommendation since it has just been announced at the New York Auto Show but it will have a new drivetrain with an 8-speed transmission, better aerodynamics, more high strength steel, better interior, etc.

I didn't know Ram was planning on a large overhall this year. I will look into it. Thanks for the headsup